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Africa Cup of Nations Semi Final Wrap Up: 2.7.08

Nkong scores

Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Samuel Eto’o were the big names expected to play a big role in the Africa Cup of Nation semifinals today. But the important names were journeyman Alain Nkong, who scored the only goal as the Cameroon beat Ghana 1-0, and Amr Zaky, who scored two in five minutes as Egypt shocked Cote d’Ivoire with a 4-1 win.


Ghana 0-1 Cameroon

As with the win over Tunisia, it’s difficult to argue Cameroon were the better team here. Ghana had more of the ball and did most of the attacking. But they didn’t score. Most of that was down to Cameroon captain Rigobert Song who took the whole Indomitable Lion thing very seriously and refused to let Junior Agogo or Quincy Owusu Abeyie get the better of him.

With John Mensah suspended, Michael Essien played central defence for Ghana and tussled with Samuel Eto’o for the full 90 minutes. But Ghana missed Essien’s presence in midfield, where he has that ability to just charge forward. Muntari, Annan and young Andre Dede Ayew did nothing wrong and all put in classy midfield displays, but Ghana’s problem all along has been a lack of goals to match their inventiveness in midfield, and that’s what did for them today.

Cameroon’s goal inevitably came from a counter-attack. A long ball from Atouba found it’s way to Alain Nkong, formerly of the Colorado Rapids, now playing for Atlante in Mexico. Not a Euro-based superstar, but a man who’s been around. He layed it back to Eto’o who (free of Essien for once) played an instant return pass to set Nkong through one on one with Richard Kingson to score in the 70th minute.

The all-out Ghana assault for the equalizer never really came. Instead there was last minute insanity from Cameroon’s Andre Bikey. With the clock ticking towards full time and Rigobert Song down injured, Bikey decided to push one of the first aid guys to the ground. I still don’t know why he did it, but Bikey got a red card and will now miss the final.

Highlights below, Bikey’s moment of mentalness even further below:


Cote d’Ivoire 1-4 Egypt

Wow. Though Egypt are the Africa Cup of Nations holders, most non-Egyptians would have predicted a Cote d’Ivoire win here and pointed to the masses of European based talent on the Cote d’Ivoire squad. But that argument fails to recognize the strength of Egyptian football. Though Egypt have a few players based in Europe, the real strength comes from the domestic league, which is where all three of today’s Egyptian goalscorers earn their living.

Ahmed Fathy scored the first in the 12th minute when his shot hit Didier Zokora Salomon Kalou and bounced in. It stayed 1-0 until halftime thanks to some good work by Egyptian keeper Essam El-Hadary to deny Didier Drogba more than once. While El-Hadary was Egypt’s hero, Cote d’Ivoire lost first choice keeper Boubacar Barry to a painful looking groin injury, and had to put their faith in the not-nearly-as-good Stephan Loboue.

Then everything went wild around the hour mark. First Amr Zaky extended Egypt’s lead with a perfectly placed header past Loboue, then Abdul Kader Keita cut it back two minutes later with a long range bomb only for Zaky to score again on the break. When that goal went in Cote d’Ivoire looked devastated. Mohamed Aboutreika finally settled things towards the end when he received a square ball and calmly sidefooted past Lomoue for 4-1 and game over.

Egypt deserved winners and they’ll go on to defende their Africa Cup of Nations crown against Cameroon on Sunday, while Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana will have to settle for a third place playoff.

Here are the highlights:


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Comments
By Al | February 7th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Top

Awsome Egypt. Keep it up guys and bring the trophy home.

By Laurie | February 7th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Top

Was the deflection off Zakora? I thought it was off Kalou. That’s what I wrote in the liveblog, but now I’m second-guessing myself. I just checked three news articles and all say “off a defender.” Thanks, news guys, very helpful. :-)

Posted from United States United States

By mm | February 7th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
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omg! i wish ghana won sooo… much they r like th ebest team

Posted from Canada Canada

By mm | February 7th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
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omg! i wish ghana won sooo… much they r like the best team!!!! i love ghana!!!!

Posted from Canada Canada

By Jimmy | February 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
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EGYPT ALL THE WAY!!! LETS GO PHAROAHS!!!! GOING FOR THE 6TH TITLE MOST EVER IN AFRICAN CUP HISTORY!!!!!!

Posted from United States United States

By jc | February 7th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
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does everyone want Egypt to win????

Posted from Canada Canada

By Faisal | February 7th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
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Tunisia were out, but if Egypt beat Cameroon and win it – that’s very fine by me

Posted from United Kingdom United Kingdom

By Nolan | February 8th, 2008 at 2:05 am
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I want Cameroon to win. Let’s go Eto’o!

Posted from Canada Canada

By Michael | February 8th, 2008 at 2:47 am
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Egypt will dominate cameroon in the final and march on to a 6th title to once again solidify themselves as the top team in africa once and for all!

Posted from Canada Canada

By Kevin | February 8th, 2008 at 5:37 am
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What makes you so sure Egypt will run away with it? Cameroon have been building throughout the tournament.

Posted from Canada Canada

By George | February 8th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
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Domitable Lions indeed.

Posted from United States United States

By Daryl | February 9th, 2008 at 1:08 am
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Laurie, you were right. Fathy’s shot was deflected off Kalou.

By Sardina | February 10th, 2008 at 5:54 am
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OF COURSE EGYPT IS BEST TEAM IN AFRICA,INSHAALLAAH WE WILL BE THE WINER FOR GHANA AFRICA CUP 2008. CAMEROON JUST NAME NOT TEAM

By Sarah | February 10th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Top

Isa we will win ya rab

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